Mexico vs. Brazil: El Tri's Confederations Cup Bid Will Be Dealt Fatal Blow

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After falling to Italy 2-1 in its Confederations Cup opener, Mexico is in a desperate situation as it takes the pitch on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET in Castelao Stadium.

Another loss will put an end to their hopes of advancing, and they are facing Brazil. The hosts look ready to roll through Group A.
Brazil waltzed to a 3-0 win over Japan in the opener. However, it has always been Italy and Mexico who promised to give them a more severe test. After all, it was Mexico that has had the upper hand when these two have met recently.
Check out the Group A standings as these teams prepare to play their second round of games.

Group A

Team	Pts	GD
Brazil	3	3
Italy	3	1
Mexico	0	-1
Japan	0	-3

El Tri defeated Brazil in the gold medal match in the London Games, and they also won the last encounter between the first squads in a friendly last year.

However, times have been changing for both.
Mexico has suddenly encountered a dearth of scoring. In their last four matches (which includes three World Cup hexagonal contests) Mexico has notched a total of just two goals. They have also drawn eight of their last 10 matches.
Considering El Tri's attack features Javier Hernandez and his 33 international goals in 51 games, this lack of production is stunning. 
Alas, Chicharito needs some help. When he notched this goal against Italy, he ran his international goal total in his last 11 games to eight:

Courtesy of 101 Great Goals

The Brazil squad that Mexico will face will be vastly different than the last time these two faced off. Not so much for the players on the pitch but the man on the sideline. Gone is Mano Menezes, as he has been replaced by the more aggressive Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Scolari has infused life into the Brazilian attack, and Brazil has won their last two matches by a combined score of 6-0 with a win over Italy to go with the victory over Japan.

While this has led to some brilliant attacking, it has also led to some sloppy defending, however. That offers a glimpse of hope that Mexico can end its offensive struggles. 
However, with Mexico's preferred lone-striker attack in a 4-2-3-1, El Tri will not be able to hang with Brazil's firepower.
With players like Neymar, Oscar, Marcelo, Thiago Silva and Hulk all looking to gain revenge on the Olympic defeat, and with Mexico distracted by their struggling attempt to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, this match will be all Brazil. 
Brazil will win, 3-1.